Dr. Awika joined Kansas State University in August 2024 as the Head of Grain Science & Industry Department and Director of Food Science Institute. Prior to joining KSU, he was on faculty at Texas A&M University (2008-2024), where he also served as Food Science & Technology Department Head since 2021. He previously worked as assistant professor at University of Missouri-Colombia, and Arkansas State university (2004-2008). His research focuses on the chemistry of grain-derived bioactive compounds in relation to food quality, nutrition, and human health.

He is a 2018-2019 Fulbright Faculty Fellow, the recipient of 2021 Institute of Food Technologists International Food Security Award and 2016 American Association of Cereal Chemists Teaching Excellence Award. He served on the 2023-2024 National Academies Committee exploring the link between soil health and human health, and currently serves as editor of Journal of Cereal Science. He obtained his PhD from Texas A&M University in 2003, and BS at Egerton University, Kenya in 1996.